22^nd October 2015

Aussie Story and Book Launch

An occasion with a difference was mounted by the Uniting Church S.A. Historical Society recently. About 100 people attended the launch of Rev Ted Curnow’s book entitled, Bible Christian Methodists, 1850-1900, A Biography of Chapels and their People at the Clarence Park Uniting Church on October 11th. It is a story that tells of pioneering families during the colonial era and of early church planting by the Bible Christian church across South Australia.

President of the History Society Val Canty provided opening remarks and read greetings from the Moderator of the Uniting Church Dr Deidre Palmer. A large portrait of Rev James Way the first Bible Christian Superintendent minister in Australia with his whiskery beard, graced the platform and overlooked the occasion. The book details the history of many small country chapels built on the ‘pennies and prayers of the poor‘ amid isolation, sickness, sacrifice, exciting revivals and growth.

After bringing greetings from Scottish historian Professor David Bebbington, Rev Robert Evans from N.S.W. who has written extensively on revivalism in Australia officially launched the book with a prayer of dedication. He said that unlike some denominational histories the book did not tell a partial story of sectional growth, rather every aspect was covered. Leaders in all three of the Methodist denominations from 1850 to 1900 called for repeated revivals and rejoiced in the blessings which followed from those which happened. Evans exclaimed, “and it worked!”

Vice President Dr Judith Raftery who had assisted with the publication process said the book filled a gap and helped to redress an imbalance in the case of the largely under researched smaller denominations and movements.

In response, it was said that noted historian Geoffrey Blainey had pointed out that “Next to the Government the Church was arguably the most influential institution in Australian history.” Today in secular Australia sadly Christian memory is in danger of being lost but it was pointed out that we could not afford to live on the memory of Christendom alone. If the new book was to have lasting significance readers needed to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through the stories of faith and sacrifice embodied in pioneering Aussie saints who had entrusted us with a sacred gospel.

Before enjoying an appropriate afternoon tea that included Cornish pasty Dr Raftery introduced a hymn from the old Bible Christian hymn book (No 445) that perfectly expressed the faith and courage of early Bible Christians missionaries and preachers “O for a faith that will not shrink, though pressed by every foe.” It was a positive occasion of which Superintendent Way probably would have approved.

Rev Edwin (Ted) Curnow   October 2015. 

“ BIBLE CHRISTIAN METHODISTS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1850-1900 ,A Biography of Chapels and their people.” Copies can be obtained via the Website: historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au and Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)